Apparently having to take a U.S. citizenship test to graduate makes a graduating student a better citizen. Arizona is the first state to make students take a citizenship test. The way it is looking is that other states may follow in Arizona’s footsteps and make a citizenship test a graduating requirement. The test is the exact same test that the U.S. gives to immigrants so that they could become citizens. This law was passed on January 22nd, 2015.
Students in some shape or form are required to pass a government class before they graduate. The law was passed to teach Americans who have a poor knowledge of civics to have better knowledge in said subject matter. According to Ted McConnell and Sandra Day O’Connor schools need teach more government in schools. Many have said government isn’t being taught very well.
Some states give high school students government tests. The contents of these tests are questions about how the law treats citizens equally, the purpose of democracy, and how to be a good citizen. Some people believe too much testing will reduce the amount of actual learning on government topics. Citizenship is learned by actions.
I believe that passing a test doesn’t make you a better citizen, it makes sure you know what a good citizen does. Being a good citizen doesn’t mean taking a test, it means going out and helping other and being a law-abiding person. Maybe what American Government classes need more than just tests is real opportunities for community service learning and structured learning from working citizens out in the community. What do you think?
https://newsela.com/articles/civics-test/id/7035/